Auto manufacturing as an expression (and motivator) of America's economic success.


This movie is part of the collection: Prelinger Archives

Producer: Handy (Jam) Organization
Sponsor: Chevrolet Motor Company
Audio/Visual: Sd, B&W
Keywords: Advertising: General; Automobiles: Advertising; Free enterprise

Creative Commons license: Public Domain

Individual Files

Write a review
Downloaded 6,044 times Reviews
Average Rating:

Reviewer: longfade - - June 24, 2010
Subject: Ugh.
MAN, I get tired of the inane, predictable comments regarding how 'racist' we were then. These things were filmed, what, 80 years ago in a time when things were DIFFERENT. That's why we watch them, right? Yes, we were extremely racist then. Still are, actually. Is that news to you? Why people come here and watch these propoganda films and then act surprised and indignant about their content just confuses the hell out of me.

That said, for me this film is a fascinating look into some wonderful technology and old craftsmanship. I love the myriad shots of the factory, workman, and machinery of that era. Really great stuff.

Reviewer: Spuzz - - May 1, 2005
Subject: And now, The Darkies!
A grand exposure of What Makes America So Great According To Jam Handy. If you said, why, it's the manufacture of vehicles, more specifically, Chevrolets! I'd award you another Jelly Belly.

From the first frame, where the narrator just yells AMERICA!! with such furvor that I knew this was going to be a pompous trip, this film, for 20 minutes (and much much more I'm sure) proves to us time and time again that nothing compares to an American Automobile! Why? We'll show you! And then we're treated to a non-stop tour of a Chevrolet plant. It's not bad actually, the tour, while we explore the neverending footage Jamison Handy has, we also explore stuff like glass prodution, why wood is so important, and, yes, a trip down to Georgia to explore Cotton's importance. Why, while we're here, "Listen to the songs of the darkies as the cotton is gathered!" Yes, this rather unfortunate racist bit stops the film cold. Actually, there is another song about lumber production earlier in the film, you're not too sure why it's there, as it's not introduced or anything. Actually, they should have eliminated both songs, as it totally puts a bad pall on this picture.

Reviewer: Luis Medina - - March 11, 2004
Subject: Slice of America
Both parts of "Truimph" are absolutely mesmerizing. Told in the corndog narrative style of the era, these series of clips and the broad story they tell capture the essence of the automobile and its impact on American life. It is hard not to view these films through the prism of our modern sensibilities. When we do this, however, I think we miss the meaning of the film. The staggering tonnage of raw materials used, the impact on the environment, and the sheer weight of the entire technical infrastructure required to produce the car are indeed shocking. But this film was made at a time when these types of statistics were meant to convey the pride, power and prestige of American society, viz a viz, its manufacturing prowess. Viewed from that perspective, the manufacturing of the automobile was indeed the Truimph of America, although it has come at a great cost to all of us and the environment.
Lastly, these films depict real workers doing real work---none of which looked easy, personally rewarding, or even remotely fun (with the exception of the glass workers in Part II).

Reviewer: Steve Nordby - - September 7, 2003
Subject: America belongs to Chevrolet
Smoke spewing factories and smogy cities are shown while the narrator orates in a frenzy about modern American industrial greatness! Produced by Jam Handy, so it is the performance, luxury, and convenience of the fabulous modern American Chevrolet motorcar behind the modern great American greatness in America! Smooth quiet and powerful transportation for enjoyment and health! And "no manufacturer pays his workers more than the makers of Chevrolet!" When was the last time you heard high wages as contributing to an American company's greatness in this great American land of modern America?

Oh and what a treat (in part two) to "listen to the sounds of the darkies as the cotton crop is gathered"!

Shotlist

Advertising


Chevrolet Transportation Automobiles Advertising
<BR>